"Summer with the Symphony" concerts, the all-purpose two-month fix for staycationing Bay Area music-lovers, continues at Davies Symphony Hall through Aug. 3, but not before rapper, actor, poet, and film producer Common is in the house. His late announcement on the roster shows the San Francisco Symphony's wide-ranging interest in musical expression and a positive commitment to attracting new listeners.
The summer season has already showcased a mixture of traditional classics and American pop standards. Ending the series with hip-hop ambassador and multi-award winning Common seems a bold and refreshing move. The idea of featuring him with a symphony orchestra was developed about two years ago by Steven Reineke, Principal Pops Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra. Common has since performed with several orchestras nationwide. The SFS has a close relationship with the NSO, and Steven Reineke will conduct the concert here on Aug. 1.
Before DSH goes big-time rap venue, it will morph into luxurious movie palace from July 18 to Aug. 3, presenting George Lucas' original "Star Wars" trilogy. The Orchestra will perform John Williams' heroic scores live to picture as the films are projected above the stage. From July 18-21, Sarah Hicks conducts the SFS in performances of "A New Hope"; followed by Emil de Cou leading the Orchestra in "The Empire Strikes Back" on July 26-28; and "Return of the Jedi" plays with conductor Jack Everly, July 29-Aug. 3.
The SFS presented Disney's "The Little Mermaid" (film with live orchestra) earlier in July, but come on now, this is John Williams, and even if popcorn isn't included, the epic soundtracks alone are worth the price of admission.
More budget-conscious Symphony fans take note: on July 22, Jayce Ogren conducts the Orchestra joined by pianist Adam Golka, in its annual free concert at the 81st Stern Grove Festival. The program includes Sibelius' melodic Symphony No. 2, and music of Beethoven and Dvorak. Pack some sunscreen and a sweater; weather in the Grove is notoriously unpredictable.
Looking back at "Summer with the Symphony" so far, we must single out some highlights and exciting surprises. The opening on July 3, "A Salute to Gershwin," conducted by Edwin Outwater featuring pianist Andrew von Oeyen in "Rhapsody in Blue" and vocalist Capathia Jenkins, was repeated the following day at Shoreline Amphitheatre for the annual Fourth of July concert and fireworks spectacular. A packed DSH crowd enjoyed a scintillating night of Tin Pan Alley and Carnegie Hall Gershwin that ended with Outwater and those famous tuned taxi horns taking us abroad with a joyful "An American in Paris."
La Jenkins was sensational, too, with a captivating set of Gershwin American Songbook standards, performed with charts Nelson Riddle created for Ella Fitzgerald. Making a memorable SFS debut and putting her own stamp on every number, Capathia's soulful "Summertime" brought everyone to their feet for a heartfelt ovation. Who could ask for anything more?
Last week, violinist William Hagen and conductor Alexander Prior teamed for "Decadent Romance: Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky." Damned if I could figure out what decadent romance means, but if overpoweringly romantic melodies count, then the richly tuneful program was just the ticket. Hagen and Prior made their SFS debuts with a concert that featured the young soloist in Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto and the talented conductor with his elegant shaping of Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2. Hagen compensated for a slightly recessed sound with sweet tone, breathtaking technique and fiery precision in the arduous passagework. His stratospheric accuracy was matched by Prior's grasp of Tchaikovsky's rhythmic pulse.
The 25-year-old conductor's understanding of the big picture was even more apparent as he finished the night with a fine reading of Rachmaninoff's achingly beautiful Second Symphony. The big tune of the third movement Adagio has rarely sounded so downright sensual, about as close to a session of passionate musical love-making as one could get. The Orchestra clearly enjoyed themselves, too. Currently in his first season as Chief Conductor of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Prior is definitely one to keep an eye on.